Cape Town’s iconic First Thursdays event has something in store for everyone – whether it’s art- and design-related, food- and drink-focused, or music events to get down on the dance floor. These are some of the best events taking place on Thursday, 3 September 2026, to celebrate with friends, family, and strangers.
Late Night Thrift: Floral Edition
Late Night Thrift is going Floral in Obs on 3 September, and Lower Main Road will be marking the arrival of spring in style with loud colours and bold prints. Shops on the Thrift Trail will spill out onto the pavement, and alongside rails and rails of great secondhand and sustainable fashion, there’ll be a busker stage, food trucks, and Fashion Police out to help you find the best finds.
A laidback alternative to First Thursdays in the Cape Town CBD, Late Night Thrift sees Observatory hosting a neighbourly after-hours celebration. By bringing together thrift stores, creative spaces, and social venues, it captures what makes Obs distinct: its sense of community, its alternative edge, and its love for the pre-loved and the quirky.
When: Thursday, 3 September 2026
Where: Lower Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town
Get great deals on vintage clothing with Late Night Thrift
The Outlore Base: The Craving First Look
Hosting many talented artists in the fringe performance scene and pushing the boundaries of what is considered traditional theatre, The Outlore Base is an events space for all manner of live art productions – from absurdist stand-up shows to drag performances and cabaret.
This First Thursday, The Outlore is hosting an Open House with social games and activities, an “impossible” hint hunt, and live performances all night long. This latest event is in preparation for Outlore’s new immersive show starting later in the month, with guests getting a sneak peek into what’s in store with The Craving.
RSVP for free on Quicket.
When: Thursday, 3 September 2026 | 6pm – 11pm
Where: The Outlore Base, 80 Hout St, Cape Town City Centre
Cape Town Photography Festival
Cape Town becomes a city-wide gallery as the Cape Town Photo Festival is underway with a vibrant, thought-provoking programme that celebrates photography in all its forms. After a successful launch last year, the month-long event returns with work from 149 photographers from South Africa and around the world.
From groundbreaking photography exhibitions and artist talks to hands-on workshops, music performances, and panel discussions, the festival brings together acclaimed international names, celebrated local voices, and rising talent to explore the art, craft, and future of photography.
Many exhibitions are available to view this First Thursday, including Zanele Muholi’s Kanye Nawe at Southern Guild, The Four Kings by Norwegian photographer Inge Norum, and beloved South African photographer David Goldblatt’s look into the harsh reality of mining in On The Mines.
When: 2 – 22 September 2026
Where: Main venue is WORLDART Gallery, 68 Long Street, Cape Town City Centre | Events throughout the city
Harringtons
This classic and stylish cocktail lounge, restaurant and boutique bar evokes a nostalgic sense of opulence, style and sophistication. With panoramic windows overlooking the bustling nightlife of the East City neighbourhood, the place features lush, inviting décor that takes guests back to a time when disco was alive, and drinks were cheap.
This Thursday sees the debut of Soul Glo Sessions, a new regular space for local artists to collaborate in a trendy hotspot, with guests able to enter completely for free. This first night kicks off with organiser & versatile singer-songwriter Francesca Biancoli alongside Afrojazz ensemble Kujenga, before an open jam session.
Guests enjoy 40% off selected cocktails, house wines and Harry’s pouring spirits during their Happy Hour from 4pm to 7pm.
When: Thursday, 3 September 2026 | 7pm – late
Where: Harringtons Cocktail Lounge, 61b Harrington Street, Cape Town
ItsAHouse
One of the Mother City’s biggest House parties, ItsAHouse brings together beloved DJs and fans to form part of the genre’s underground culture. After a successful winter season, the party is returning to Kloof cocktail bar Batanga to kick off the summer season, in preparation for Friday night’s big party featuring acclaimed Romanian DJ Mihai Popoviciu.
Guests can expect ItsAHouse’s resident DJs alongside some special guests, with the lineup to be announced.
Cost: From R150 per person. Book now on Quicket.
When: Thursday, 3 September 2026 | 5pm – 12am
Where: 70a Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town
Thirsty Thursdays: Scrap & Yap
One of the biggest hotspots for young people in the city, Kaya Cafe is an intimate space with vibey music, trendy drinks, and filling snacks. On First Thursdays, the venue transforms into a vibrant hub for live performances, including acoustic sets, drag king shows, discussions, and captivating karaoke.
For this month’s edition, Kaya invites guests to create their Spring Vision Boards with provided materials, making cute collages, creative cut-outs, and little projects to pass the time while enjoying good company all night long.
Later in the night, the space transforms into the usual Thirsty Thursday karaoke floor, with loud sing-alongs where everyone is one big friend group. The party supports the drag performance group The Kings Collab, with the best “musical theatre”- dressed individual winning two tickets to their upcoming show, Upstage & Down Bad. Every ticket includes a complimentary glass of wine or non-alcoholic beverage.
Cost: From R120 per person (early bird). Book now on Fixr.
When: Thursday, 3 September 2026 | 7pm – late | From 9.30pm (karaoke)
Where: KAYA HQ, 35 Loop Street, Cape Town City Centre
Surfa Rosa
One of Cape Town’s last true punk dive bars, Surfa Rosa is a little bar with a big, edgy personality. The vibe is laid back, the music is loud, and the dance floor is never vacant. The space hosts live events most nights, with DJ sets and live band performances blasting through the walls and ensuring everyone on the street knows it’s party time.
This month, dancers take to the floor as Midnight x Electric Eel play a groovy vinyl set, before Surfa Rosa’s resident DJs Fuzznights & Friends take over the acoustics until late into the night. Happy Hour is available every day from 4pm – 7pm. More information is available on their website and Instagram.
When: Thursday, 3 September 2026 | 7pm – 10pm (ticketed) | From 10pm (free entry)
Where: 61 Harrington St, Cape Town
Culture Wine Bar
Famous among enthusiasts for its curated selection of wines, ranging from sought-after imports to hidden African gems, Culture Wine Bar is a vibrant social space among the Bree Street favourites. It regularly hosts live music bands, livening up the atmosphere with some of the best up-and-coming local musicians.
When: Thursday, 3 September 2026 | 6pm – 9pm
Where: 103 Bree St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town
The Athletic Club & Social
This three-storey bar is a sophisticated wine-and-jazz venue with a Mediterranean menu, cocktails, and a hidden basement bar. Perfect for a couples’ dinner upstairs before heading downstairs to enjoy the grooving melodies of Cape Town’s lively jazz scene, Athletic Club & Social is a great late-night destination for dressing up and enjoying a relaxed evening with loved ones.
This First Thursday, jazz pianist, singer, and composer Yonela Mnana takes over the downstairs jazz lounge alongside instrumentalists Sean Sanby and Tefo Mahola in a collaborative, exploratory musical experience.
Cost: R250 per person. Book tickets now on Fixr.
When: Thursday, 3 September 2026 | 8pm – 10pm
Where: 35 Buitengracht Street, Cape Town City Centre
Bascule Bar
Set on the Waterfront marina, this whiskey and cocktail bar is known for its wide selection of drinks, lush decor, intimate conversations, and a curated collection of African art. On First Thursdays, the space hosts live jazz to enhance the vibrant atmosphere, along with a special offer on Martell cognac.
This First Thursday, enthusiasts can try a curated flight of four unique expressions from Macallan, the celebrated Scottish whisky house. The flight includes The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old, Harmony Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea, Classic Cut 2022 Release and Rare Cask 2023 Release.
When: First Thursdays | 6pm – 12am
Where: Cape Grace Hotel, W Quay Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
First Thursday at Clay Café in the City
Clay Café in the City is a ceramic painting venue and tapas bar. Enjoy a creative space that strives to teach like-minded adults to be creative, learn new techniques, and just have some fun while exploring, enjoying tapas, and relaxing to relaxing music.
This month’s offering includes a Thirsty Thursday buy-one-get-one-free drinks special, alongside R60 tapas.
Cost: R45 (studio fee) | Book now on Dineplan.
When: First Thursdays (4pm – 10pm)
Where: 199 Bree Street, Cape Town City Centre
Lemkus Gallery
A multi-generational company dating back to 1935, LEMKUS is a space for design and creativity. On the fourth floor is Lemkus Gallery, home of the Residency28 programme.
The exhibition on display is Essays by ex-resident Pebofatso Mokoena, an abstract contemporary artist known for exploring where one belongs in a world that is becoming smaller and smaller.
When: First Thursdays | 6pm – 8pm
Where: 28 St Georges’ Mall, Cape Town City Centre
Ground Art Caffe
Mixing acclaimed coffee with an avant-garde art gallery, Ground Art Caffe is a refined space in the heart of De Waterkant. On the art side, there is always an exhibition on show, with regular First Thursday events that highlight some of Cape Town’s up-and-coming creatives in a more low-key, inviting setting than a luxurious art gallery.
In September, poet and ceramic artist Qwidi (Christi Steyn) continues to showcase some of her work in an exhibition (Altar Ego) inspired by childhood and sandcastles, bringing guests back to a simpler time. Christi Steyn is the author of What the Moon Gave Her and In Her Light.
When: Thursday, 3 September 2026 | 6pm – 8pm
Where: 160 Strand St, De Waterkant, Cape Town
House of Machines
The Cape Town destination for bikers, coffee lovers, and live music enthusiasts, House of Machines is an always-busy social bar that appeals to a wide range of Capetonians with its varied events, chatty atmosphere, and unique aesthetic. Over the last few years, it has become one of the city’s premier live music spots, often platforming up-and-coming talent at affordable prices.
After moving to a new location just next door, it’s the first Thursday in the new venue. As always, House of Machines is free to check out, with live DJs playing throughout the night and classic drinks on the menu. Guests can expect sets from That Asian Girl, Disco Dez, Jenny Dison, and Boaba Kieka.
When: Thursday, 3 September 2026 | 6pm – late
Where: 84 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town City Centre
Fable
Home to Cape Town’s most innovative and immersive cocktail menu, Fable is also known for its variety of live in-house entertainment, ranging from world-class musicians to professional fire eaters. With a lineup of local DJs and a live saxophone player this First Thursday, Fable is perfect for experienced cocktail enthusiasts wanting to try something new, and complete beginners wanting to see what the hype is about.
Bookings can be made on the website.
When: Tuesday – Sunday | 4.30pm – late (Fri – Sun) | 5pm – late (Tue – Thu)
Where: Corner Bree & Wale St, Cape Town City Centre
The Artists Gallery
This unique independent gallery is a beautiful, dynamic space dedicated to showcasing art that ignites inspiration. Situated on vibrant Bree Street, The Artists Gallery is run by a collective of artists and art enthusiasts to highlight the full spectrum of artistic expression, from emerging talents to established figures.
Textura Animae – Stephen Symons
Stephen Symons’ extraordinary digital portraits bring history into the present, reimagining iconic figures through his distinctive, richly layered visual language. Built from more than a hundred digital layers, his works combine the grandeur of classical portraiture with a striking contemporary aesthetic.
For this new body of work, Symons turns his focus towards Africa, exploring remarkable figures and stories connected to the continent. The result is a powerful dialogue between history, identity and contemporary African culture.
When: First Thursdays | From 6pm
Where: 34 Bree Street, cnr Waterkant Street, Cape Town City Centre
Clarke’s
A favourite among First Thursday gallery hoppers, this well-placed restaurant offers all-day breakfast, acclaimed burgers, and one of the most extensive cocktail lists anywhere in the CBD. With Clarke’s being on Bree Street near most of the big galleries and nightlife spots, it’s a great stop to sip, snack, and groove while keeping the night alive.
When: First Thursdays | 5pm – 11pm
Where: 133 Bree St, Cape Town City Centre
Vault on Bree
Vault on Bree is a new space at the corner of Bree and Castle Street, where Cape Town’s creative community can gather, share ideas, and grow together. Vault on Bree is a place for artists, designers, brands, and innovators to meet, collaborate, and explore new ways of expression. It’s been thoughtfully designed to encourage conversation, connection, and creativity, with the hope of nurturing a stronger sense of community in the city.
In partnership with Phil Kramer, the sound designer behind the system at One Park, the space includes a listening bar that puts music and atmosphere at its heart. Listening bars are intimate spaces dedicated to high-quality sound, inviting people to slow down, pay attention, and experience music more deeply and intentionally.
When: First Thursdays | 6pm till late
Where: c/o Bree and Castle Street, Cape Town City Centre
Everything About Vault on Bree
99 Loop Gallery
The gallery is dedicated to exhibiting contemporary and modern African art, representing a core group of emerging and established artists. These artists are either from the continent or have historic links to the greater African diaspora. Fine art on view includes work on paper, ceramics, photography, painting and sculpture.
Three-Part Play – Xanthe Scout Lardner-Burke, Pia Truscott, Daniel Tucker
Three-Part Play features the work of artists Xanthe Scout Lardner-Burke, Pia Truscott & Daniel Tucker, who have met and maintained a regular crit group over the last three years. Through this framework, this exhibition speaks to distinct practices that exist in conversation with one another. Three-Part Play asks how sustained dialogue can act as a material, process, and an artefact in artistic practice.
When: First Thursdays | 5pm – 8pm
Where: 99 Loop Street, Cape Town
Mojo Silly Thursdays
Mojo Market’s flagship weekly comedy night features new lineups each time, platforming fresh debutants alongside established, veteran acts.
This week, the lineup is hosted by Kurt Langeveld and includes Joseph Passchier, Tumi Makhubela, and headliner Wayne McKay.
When: First Thursdays | From 7.30pm
Where: 30 Regent Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town
Openwine
A vibrant wine-focused bar in Wale Street, Openwine brings together walls of sought-after blends with frequent live jazz sessions for a refined tasting and pairing experience. Often importing rare and international wines, Openwine prides itself on stocking unique, small-batch labels outside of the usual big brands found in stores.
For their “Our Beautiful Thursdays” series, they’re hosting live performance sets from many of their house bands, including Three Brothers, Funkoff, and Eleventh Hour, playing throughout the evening.
When: First Thursdays | 8pm – late
Where: 72 Wale St, Cape Town City Centre
Signature Art Gallery: Art, Live Music and Wine Evening
Signature Art Gallery offers a new art experience for collectors, investors, and general art lovers. The gallery carries art by internationally acclaimed artists as well as reputable local and emerging artists whom we have identified as having great potential, thus presenting a wide range of pricing.
Signature Art Gallery invites guests to an evening of art, music, and community this First Thursday. Visitors can enjoy a glass of wine, connect with fellow art lovers, and listen to live piano music while viewing a diverse collection of top contemporary artworks.
When: First Thursdays | From 6pm
Where: 14 Long Street, cnr of Riebeek & Long Street, Cape Town
Chingadas
This vibrant Tex-Mex restaurant thrives on colourful decor, messy eating, and lots of cocktails. The space is made up of many interleading rooms and multiple fireplaces, ensuring the atmosphere is as warm as the food. It’s a relatively new addition to the trendy spots near Kloof Street, distinguishing itself with its family-friendly environment and proudly Mexican identity.
Chingadas is perhaps best known for its build-your-own margarita, with a handy guide that teaches guests how to make the perfect drink. Its food menu is extensive, with traditional favourites such as nachos and fajitas, as well as unique offerings like avocado fries and a churro cheesecake.
Book a table on Dineplan.
When: Tuesday – Sunday | 12pm – 11pm (Tue – Thu) | 12pm – 12am (Fri & Sat) | 12pm – 9pm (Sun)
Where: 50 Orange St, Gardens, Cape Town
Idiots Unplugged Karaoke at Village Idiot
Those with (and without) singing chops can have some fun on the mic with this karaoke experience. All singers get free shots, and the restaurant offers 50% off food, Happy Hour from 6pm to 8pm and a R500 Bar Tab for Songbird Of The Night.
When: First Thursdays | 6pm – 11pm
Where: The Village Idiot, 32 Loop Street, Cape Town
Vela Projects
Founded in 2022 with a pop-up exhibition, Vela Projects now presents a boutique selection of African artists and offers a programme that resonates with global culture and champions the development of artistic careers.
Metaphorical Biographies – Santu Mofokeng
Taking as it’s starting point the evolving legacy of photography in Southern Africa, Metaphorical Biography places a new generation of photographers alongside a small section of works by Santu Mofokeng, one of the seminal figures in the history of South African art. Drawing from Mofokeng’s concept of the metaphoric biography, the exhibition includes practices which have a close emphasis of biography, personal experience and history – especially within the context of a post-democratic South Africa.
When: First Thursdays | 5pm – 8pm
Where: 66 Plein Street, Cape Town
Museum of Gems and Jewellery: Hidden Treasures
The Museum of Gems and Jewellery tells the story of South Africa’s diamonds and precious metals, and how earthly treasures are transformed into precious heirlooms through creativity.
ON SHOW: Hidden Treasures
Discover a world of gemmological and jewellery wonder at the Museum of Gems & Jewellery, housed in the 18th-century Huguenot House. On First Thursdays, explore South Africa’s rich mineral, cultural, and artistic heritage through an intimate, beautifully curated journey spanning 3 billion years.
When: First Thursdays | 5pm – 8pm
Where: 66 Loop Street, Cape Town
Ebony/Curated
Since its establishment in 2015, the gallery has continued to support creatives whose practices engage with intimate lived experiences within broader cultural and aesthetic contexts. Loop Editions is an add-on to the gallery, showcasing artists’ originals, editions, and collectables in a bright, sunny café space adjacent to the gallery.
A Very Loop Street Winter
EBONY/CURATED presents ‘A Very Loop Street Winter’, the inaugural edition of a seasonal group exhibition celebrating the depth and diversity of contemporary artistic practice. Bringing together a selection of established and emerging artists, the exhibition reflects the contemplative atmosphere of the winter season through a rich range of perspectives, materials and visual languages.
Spanning painting, ceramics and mixed media, ‘A Very Loop Street Winter’ offers an engaging cross-section of the gallery’s programme, presenting acquisitions alongside significant works by represented artists.
When: First Thursdays | 5pm – 9pm
Where: 67 Loop Street, Cape Town City Centre
Leo’s Wine Bar
A staple of the First Thursday night out, Leo’s Wine Bar is inside a bagel shop on Bree Street. The shop pours low-intervention wines from smaller producers, with a healthy selection of natural wines always available to enjoy.
When: Monday – Saturday | 5pm – 11pm
Where: Leo’s Wine Bar, 120 Bree St, Cape Town City Centre
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